Detachable trunk-desk.



No. 638,032. Patented Nov. 28, |899.

W. H. SCULLY.

DETACHABLE` TRUNK DESK.

(Application file d Feb. 21, 1899.)

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W. H. SCULLY. DETACHABLE TRUNK DESK.

(Applicution led Feb. 21, 1899.)

No. 633,032. Y Patented Nov. 28,4899.

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WADE H. SCULLY, OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY;

DETACHABLE TRUNK-DESK;

SPECIFICATION refining pere ef Lettere Patent ive. 638,032, datedNovember 2s, 189e.

Application iiled February 2l, 1899. Serial No. 706,312. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that LVVADE H. SCULLY, a citizen of the United States,residing at Newark, in the county of Essex and State of New Jersey, haveinvented certain new and ,useful Improvements in Detachable Trunk-Desks;and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exactdescription of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in theart to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being hadto the accompanying drawings, and to letters of reference markedthereon,which form a part of this specification.

The objects of this invention are to provide a desk or writing-tablewhich may be attached to the top of a trunk and furnish a conven-V ientplace for writing, studying, or the like; to provide such a desk capableof being readily detached and removed from the trunk, and, furthermore,one which may be easily taken apart or knocked down when desired; toenable the desk to be compactly packed in the trunk, if desired, andoccupy a very small space; to thus provide for travelers, students,orothers having limited facilities or occupying rooms too small to admit aregular desk a cheap and convenient substitute which will enable them toWrite, study, or do other work with facility, and to secure otheradvantages and results, some of which may be referred to hereinafter inconnection with the description of the working parts.

The invention consists in the improved students trunk-desk and in thearrangements and combinations of parts of the same, all substantially aswill be hereinafter set forth and iinally embraced in the clauses of theclaim.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, in which like letters ofreference indicate corresponding parts in each of the several views,Figure l is an end view of a trunk to which my improved desk is applied,and Fig. 2 is a front view of the same. Fig. Sis an enlarged detail ofthe desk-top in end view, and Fig. 4 is a rear view of the same. Fig. 5is a detail side view'of a certain supportingbracket or side piece, andFig. 6 is an edge view of the same. Fig. 7 is a rear view of a certaincross-brace, and Fig. 8 is a plan of the same. Figs. 9 and l0 are sideand front views, respectively, of a clamp for securing the desk to thetrunk; and Fig. ll shows a modified form of clamp which may sometimes bepreferred.

In said drawings, d indicates a trunk of ordinary construction having aflat top and the usual cleats a thereon, and Z7 indicates my improveddesk adapted to be att-ached to said trunk. Said desk comprises a top c,preferably of somewhat less width and length than the trunk, held in aninclined position convenient for writing and projecting forwardly beyondthe front of the trunk to provide space for the knees of a personsitting at the desk. pieces or brackets d near each end, each of saidbrackets having a rearwardly-extending arm d' lying across the top ofthe trunk and held thereto by clamps c near each end of the arm d. Saidclamps each comprise a vertical loop or clasp c', closed at the top andadapted to receive an arm d' of the brackets. The arms of said clasp, attheir lower ends adjacent to the trunk, are bent horizontally outwardapart, as at e2, and each provided with Y integral clamping-jaws f,adapted to engage a cleat. Said jaws are adapted to extend across thecleat as the clamp stands thereon and are each provided at opposite endswith feet f2, engaging the cleat at opposite edges. One of said feet isfixed at the end of the body portion f' of the clamp, While the otherslides upon the opposite end of the body portion and may be pressedagainst the cleat by a thumb-screw g, working upon the threaded outerend of the body portion f. Said feet are preferably provided withsharpened toes f3, adapted to enter beneath the cleat and prevent theclamp from slipping off upwardly.

When the clamps are arranged in proper position on the cleats, theclasps or loops c are open toward the front and back of the trunk, aswill be understood, and the arm d. of the supporting-brackets d can beslid into said loops, which thus reach over the upper edge of the armand holdit down against the trunk-top.

Instead of making the clamp double, as described, with clamping-jaws oneach side of the clasp, I may sometimes use only one clamping-jaw, andinstead of acomplete loop Said top is supported by side e TOO c form thebody portion of the clamp into a hook fi, as shown in Fig. 1l.

From the body part of each supportingbracket or side piece d twostandards d2 extend upward to receive the desk-top c. Evideutly thisbody portion of the side pieces may be made' of anyshape or design whichwill give the desired strength and rigidity.

The supporting-brackets or side pieces are preferably of thinmaterial,as a wooden board, so as to occupy little space when packed,and to prevent lateralsway orspring of said brackets a cross-brace h isprovided. Said crossbrace comprises two strips crossing each other inthe form of an X and adapted to engage at their opposite ends the rearedges of the side pieces at upper and lower points. The strips formingsaid cross-brace are preferably pivotally joined at the point where theycross, as at h', so as to fold together into superposed position, andthe ends of said strips are secured to the edges of the side pieces d bythumb-screws j, so as to be readily detachable. Instead of having saidthumb-screws screwed directlyinto the wood I prefer to secure a more rmand durable socket by nuts 7c, let into the edge of the bracket andinteriorlythreaded to receive the screws.

The desk-top c consists of a plane board provided on its under side withcleats c to hold the parts together and prevent warping. One edge ofsaid cleats, preferably the outer edge, engages the inner sides of thebrackets d when the desk-top is laid in position upon the said brackets,as will bel clearly understood upon reference to the drawings. Screws m,preferably thumb-screws, pass through the upper ends of said bracketsinto the edges of the cleats, nuts n being insert-ed iu said cleats toreceive the screws, as before described in connection with thecross-brace.

At the upper or rear edge of the desk-top I may, if desired, provide anauxiliary shelf ov for pens, bottles of ink, dac.

Said shelf 0 comprises simply a small board pivotally secured at onecorner to the under side of the desk-top, as at o', and thus adapted tobe swung in under said top when not in use. A small independent frame 19may be placed on the shelf o to provide a level surface for the bottles,pens, (lac.

It will be noted that the desk-top, brackets, and brace, being fastenedtogether by the A thumb-screws, can be quickly and easily separated, andwhen so separated said parts can be packed atwise together in very smallcompass. I thus provide for travelers, students, &c., a very convenientand effective desk, and one which can be readily disposed of when not inuse.

In the case of an oval-topped trunk the arms or extensions d of the sidepieces may be suitably curved to conform thereto.

It is evident that various small changes and modifications may be madefrom what I have positively described Without departing from the spiritand scope of the invention, and I do not wish, therefore, to beunderstood as limiting myself to the exact details of constructionshown.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new isl. In a deskattachment for trunks, the combination of a top, brackets supportingsaid top and having arms adapted to lie upon the trunk-top in contacttherewith at their lower edges, and means for securing said arms to thecleats upon the trunk-top, substantially as set forth.

2. In adesk attachment for trunks, the combination of a top providing awriting-surface, brackets supporting said top in a forwardlyinclinedposition, arms projecting rearwardly from said brackets and adapted torest across the top of the trunk-cover, and clamps for engaging thecleats on said trunk-cover, substantially as set forth.

3. The herein-described desk attachment for trunks, comprising a top,vertical side pieces supporting at their upper edges said top, a'cross-brace holding said side pieces parallel to each other,integralarms extending rearwardly from said side pieces and adapted to engagethe upper surface of the trunkcover, and clamps on the arms for securingsaid arms to said cover, substantially as set forth.

4. In the herein-described trunk-desk, the combination withrearwardly-extending arms adapted to lie across the top of thetrunkcover, of clamps for detachably securing said arms to said cover,said clamps each having adjustable jaws for engaging the cleats on thecover, and a body portion extending over the arm, substantially as setforth.

5. The herein-described trunk-desk, comprising a top, vertical bracketssupporting at their upper edges said top and being detachably securedthereto, a detachable brace holding said brackets in parallel position,arms extending rearwardly from the lower part of each bracket andadapted to lie across the top of a trunk-cover, and clamps fordetachably fastening said arms to the cleats on said cover,substantially as set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand this18th day of February, 1899.

WADE H. SCULLY.

Witnesses:

CHARLES H. PELL, C. B. PITNEY.

IIO

